Last weekend was far from routine for the sister parishes of the greater Philadelphia area. This became immediately clear as soon as the St. Nersess Seminary van disengorged seven precocious seminarians, accompanied by their Dean, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, on the steps of Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cheltenham, PA last Friday just before 6 PM.

Greeted with bear-hug embraces by the pastor, St. Nersess alumnus Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the seminary team was here to bring St. Nersess to the Armenians of Philadelphia for a full weekend of spiritual, educational, and social events.

Also participating in the weekend's activities were St. Nersess alumni Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church (Watervliet, NY); Director of the Seminary's Youth Programs; Ms. Nancy Basmajian, Executive Secretary of the ACYOA (and a Philadelphia native); and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, who represented the Eastern Diocesan Council at the request of the Primate, His Eminence Abp. Khajag Barsamian. Seminary Administrator Mr. John Aslanian also participated in the weekend activities.

The weekend began Friday evening at Holy Trinity with a dinner, followed by an illustrated presentation by Fr. Daniel Findikyan entitled,The Divine Liturgy in a Changing World: Traditional Worship, New Insights. Presenting three prayers from the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Daniel demonstrated how they are truly relevant to our modern lives and contemporary concerns.

"Those who attend the Badarak regularly all too easily overlook the power of these words," he said. "Their theological and poetic gravity--even in English translation--invite prayerful thought and contemplation. The Divine Liturgy invites us into the depths of the mystery of God."

Following Fr. Findikyan's talk and a spirited question and answer period, Fr. Mardiros Chevian spoke on behalf of the Eastern Diocesan Council.

"The visit of the St. Nersess seminarians and staff is a front," Fr. Chevian said provocatively. "They are here this weekend not just to offer some programs, but to elicit your support. The Seminary needs your prayers and your financial support in order to continue to attract and prepare future leaders for the Armenian Church in America."

Fr. Chevian served as full-time recruiter, and then as Rector of St. Nersess for ten years, during which twelve young men and two women were graduated from the seminary.

On Saturday the venue shifted to Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church in Wynnewood, PA, where the pastor, V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, welcomed the St. Nersess team early Saturday morning for an all-day youth event entitled, The Armenian Church: Security for Your Inner Homeland. Through a series of highly interactive and creative presentations and group projects, the participants learned how the church and the Divine Liturgy can bring solace and stability to their fast-paced and increasingly anxiety-ridden daily lives.

Following the brief prayer service that concluded the day, Fr. Haigazoun said, "I am encouraged that a group of young Armenians such as this are looking to their Christian faith and their ancestral church for direction and peace."

On Saturday evening the seminary team was graciously hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Boghos and Shake Derderian, whose family is deeply rooted in the Seminary. Shake and her brother Vartan are both graduates of St. Nersess Seminary. Shake is actively involved in youth ministry at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church. Shake's nephew Justin is currently enrolled in part-time study at St. Nersess, and Shake and Boghos' children Maria and Alexan are veterans of the Seminary's summer youth programs. Shake's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chuck and Charlotte Ajamian, both ardent Seminary supporters, were also present to greet the seminarians.

On Sunday morning, the seminary team split its forces between the two sister parishes. At Holy Trinity, Fr. Daniel celebrated the Divine Liturgy and preached a sermon entitled, Four Gospels Today: Many Evangelists Tomorrow. Serving with him at the holy altar were seminarians Nishan Baljian, Artak Khachikyan, Sebuh Oscherician and Justin Ajamian.

The other seminarians spent Sunday across town at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob in Wynnewood, where the guest celebrant was His Eminence Abp. Yeghishe Gizirian, retired Primate of the Armenian Church of England. Serving at the holy altar with him were seminarians Yervant Kutchukian (who preached the sermon), Daron Bolat and Ara Karamanian.

After the Divine Liturgy, at Holy Trinity and Sts. Sahag and Mesrob respectively, Fr. Daniel and Seminary Adminsitrator Mr. John Aslanian gave brief presentations on the Seminary's mission, work, and immediate plans.

"This is your seminary," said Aslanian. "If St. Nersess is to serve the Armenian Church by training qualified and effective priests and lay leaders, then you will need to pray for it. You will need to care for it. You will need to support it financially. The Armenian Church calls on you to be an intimate part of St. Nersess Seminary's growth and work."

The Seminary is planning similar weekends "on the road" in Livingston, NJ (November 21) and Detroit, MI (April 8-10, 2005).